The Exor revel in the thrill of the hunt and relish the sweet
taste of vanquishing their prey. These hunting dragons
pit themselves against rivals and prey knowing that only
victory and defeat determine their place in the world.
The worldview of the Exor divides all other creatures into
adversaries to be contended with and quarry to be stalked,
killed, and consumed. They instinctively exploit any perceived weaknesses in their foes, all the better to demonstrate their dominance. Standing as the apex predators in their
territories, Exor dragons favor desert or arid locations for
their lairs but can adapt to nearly any environment. Above
all else, this brood follows the philosophy that if you aren’t
the hunter, you’re the prey.
Characteristics
The Exor are predatory dragons ranging in color from gold
to red to brass, with scales shaped like shark’s teeth and
rows of jagged spikes running the length of their backs to
the end of their whip-like tails. Their powerful frames feature large thick forelimbs and smaller hindlimbs. Unique
among dragons, the Exor have three-clawed talons with a
dewclaw digit that aids them in climbing and turning at
high speeds.
While hunting, an Exor dragon’s greatest pleasure
comes from stalking and ambushing their prey, and they
will often draw out a confrontation in order to elicit the
greatest challenge before closing in for the kill. Unlike
dragons from other broods, an Exor prefers its physical
weapons over its breath weapons. Springing upon their
prey from an unseen location is a common tactic for these
dragons, especially burrowing beneath their targets before
launching a stealthy attack from below.
An Exor dragon hunts with other brood members but
only to increase their chance of finding prey, not due to any
particular loyalty. Each Exor knows that when they are strong
enough, they are expected to lead a hunting pack formed of
weaker Exor. Surprisingly, many Exor dragons offer positions
in their packs to defeated dragons from other broods. These
new recruits are required to be loyal and function like an Exor
themselves, and they are closely watched until they prove
themselves. Each Exor knows it will someday challenge a
stronger member of the brood, either proving itself superior
or, perhaps, perishing in the attempt.
Azhurma
Fierce Rawraxxa, the Apex Huntress, is the youngest of all
the azhurma on Drakha but is among the most powerful.
Her territory, the Shrilling Sands, is an arid wasteland of
dunes, rocky outcroppings, deep crevasses, and scouring
sandstorms. Unique among the other azhurma, Rawraxxa
disdains those who need a lair as weak. Instead, she considers the entire Shrilling Sands to be her domain to do with
as she sees fit. Dotting the sweltering desert are towering
monuments of bone, skin, and organs pieced together as
tributes to her.
The Apex Huntress holds herself to the ideals followed
by her brood: Meet every challenge, be hunter or be prey,
and give no quarter to the weak. Rawraxxa molded herself
into the ultimate hunter, excelling at the tactics and skills
necessary to ambush and strike down her quarry with
savage violence. Possessing a uniquely long and agile tail,
she has been known to strangle weaker dragons.
Though she stands as azhurma, Rawraxxa knows her
lofty position is not due to the loyalty of her followers
but to her undefeated status. This attitude trickles down
to the rest of her brood. Exor dragons respect stronger
members but view that same strength as a challenge to
be defeated. Rawraxxa herself does not harbor many
emotions for her own brood, or anyone else. All that
matters to her is the hunt.
Exor Lairs
On the Red Moon, Exor dragons make their lairs in the
Shrilling Sands. Some burrow below the sand to carve
tunnels in the rock beneath, while others prefer to hew out
lofty aeries on high cliffs or stone spires. Most Exor prefer to
conceal the entrances to their lairs and often have secret underground tunnels, the better to ambush any attackers with.
In Valerna, Exor dragons build their lairs in warm,
arid environments but will adapt to other climates if the
need arises. In such circumstances, an Exor might burrow
far underground to tap some geothermal vent or perhaps
persuade lesser creatures to fashion a massive hearth in the
center of its lair.
Though they typically don’t hoard material objects, Exor
dragons often collect trophies from particularly challenging
foes. These might include the skulls, skins, or possessions of
vanquished creatures, displayed prominently around the lair.
